Brian Beach Named Special Assistant To UF President

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Brian Beach has been named special assistant to the president, University of Florida President J. Bernard Machen announced today.

In this newly created position, Beach will serve as liaison to the university’s Board of Trustees and manage the trustees’ quarterly meetings. He also will work with the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs on the upcoming capital campaign and University Relations on implementation of the branding project. In addition, he will handle special projects for the president.

Beach is the managing director of SI Ventures, a $115 million venture fund located in Fort Myers and specializing in information technology start up companies. He has also served as executive vice president and member of the Board of Directors for Allen C. Ewing & Company Investment Bankers in Orlando and Jacksonville and as vice president of Synagen Capital Partners Inc., of Orlando.

He is a graduate of the University of Florida, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in 1990 and his Master of Business Administration in 1995.

“Brian brings strong management experience and technical expertise to the University of Florida,” Machen said today. “He will be a tremendous asset as we roll out our capital campaign, branding campaign and other projects that will help take the university to the next level,” he added.

“I look forward to working with President Machen and the Board of Trustees to help advance the university’s ambitious goals,” Beach said. “It is great to be back at the university, and I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to its future successes,” he added.

Beach has served on the boards of directors of several companies. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Warrington College of Business and the UF Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.